Lakeland Centers Gets New Name

The facility is a multipurpose entertainment venue and home to the Lakeland Magic (NBA Development League), Florida Tropics (Major Arena Soccer League), the Florida High School Basketball Championships and also hosts concerts, meetings, special events and trade shows.

The center features an 8,000-seat arena, 2,200-seat theater and 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space.

RP Funding is a Central Florida-based direct mortgage lender and part of the Robert Palmer Companies. RP Funding also recently announced its partnership with the Lakeland Magic.

“We’re thrilled to forge this partnership with the City of Lakeland and the Lakeland Magic,” said RP Funding President/Owner Robert Palmer. “As a Lakeland native, I’m excited about making an impact in my hometown and the opportunities this partnership provides with the City and the Magic while building and growing RP Funding in Central Florida and beyond.”

The 5-year naming rights agreement will generate additional revenue toward the operation and maintenance of the facility. RP Funding will receive interior and exterior building signage in addition to television, radio, print and social media promotion.

“We're pleased to generate additional revenue sources, continuing our goal to operate a self-sustaining venue," RP Funding Center Executive Director Tony Camarillo said during the announcement. “With more than 500 events per year, we are confident the RP Funding Center will continue to serve as a key venue for Lakeland’s sporting, meeting, entertainment, cultural and special events.”

“We're looking forward to many memorable moments ahead in the RP Funding Center,” said Lakeland Magic President Shelly Wilkes. “RP Funding represents the excellence we strive for in bringing our product to our fans and stakeholders. We are excited to bring RP Funding on board. This is a win-win-win situation for the City of Lakeland, RP Funding and the Lakeland Magic.”

Owned and operated by the City of Lakeland, the facility opened as The Lakeland Civic Center 1974 and was re-named The Lakeland Center in June of 1996.